Podcasts

Lokke Moerel, Part 2

European AI lawyer Lokke Moerel returns to chat about search technologies and the bubbles we get into, some of the ethics issues related to AI that regulators are thinking about, and how the GDPR got some things right. Listen in

Lokke Moerel, Part 1

European AI lawyer Lokke Moerel discusses a wide range of issues raised by artificial intelligence, including how to build and review data sets, the inscrutability of the output of AI, and various ways in which companies are using it. Listen in

SeedInvest, Part 2

Lee and Troy continue their discussion with Ryan Feit of SeedInvest and learn about the proposed transaction with Circle, some of the early challenges SeedInvest faced, and how passion is a necessary part of any start-up vision. Listen in

SeedInvest, Part 1

Ryan Feit of SeedInvest talks about how he and his team built a leading equity crowdfunding platform and were involved with the passage of the JOBS Act. He also gets into the details of the platforms, features and functions that make crowdfunding securities a new asset class. Listen in

AI in Canada, Part 2

In the second part of our conversation with Canadian AI specialists, Lee and Troy delve further into the policy and ethics issues of artificial intelligence, as well as how the business side of AI is growing in Canada with government support. Listen in

AI in Canada, Part 1

In this live audience recording, Lee and Troy discuss artificial intelligence with two knowledgeable Canadian AI specialists. In this first part, we talk about things that AI can do, and liability issues associated with AI’s actions. More interestingly, we discuss policy issues. Listen in

Mike Novogratz: Are We Moving to a New Paradigm?

In this second part of our discussion with Mike Novogratz, we discuss many of the forces behind decentralization through blockchain and Mike’s view of where things might be headed. We also learn how the basics of being a good Army apply to investing. Listen in

Mike Novogratz: Building an Investment Bank for Blockchain Assets

After success as an Army helicopter pilot, Goldman Sachs banker and Fortress founder Mike Novogratz could have just managed his family wealth. But his enthusiasm for the new world of decentralization through blockchain has driven Mike to create a new type of investment bank. Listen in

Former SEC Commissioner on the Theory Behind Regulatory Decisions

In the second half of Lee and Troy’s conversation with former SEC Commissioner Michael Piwowar, we broadened the discussion to cover some theories of regulation and considerations for regulatory decisions. Commissioner Piwowar also discussed various areas within FinTech that he finds interesting, including the “Bootleggers and Baptists” theory of public choice economics first put forth by economist Bruce Yandle. Listen in

What Made the SEC Deny a Bitcoin ETF?

Shortly after the end of his tenure as an SEC Commissioner, Michael Piwowar joined Lee and Troy for a conversation on FinTech, blockchain and regulation. In the first half of the conversation, he talks about the SEC’s recent denial of a bitcoin ETF and some of the considerations that may have been at play. Listen in

Currents in Crypto

In the second installment of our discussion with Business Insider reporter Frank Chaparro, Lee and Troy explore the challenge of finding talent in an industry that’s evolving so quickly, how crypto has caught the public's imagination, and whether crypto is here to stay. Listen in

All Things Crypto

Business Insider reporter Frank Chaparro joins Lee and Troy to talk all things crypto — big banks getting into the crypto space, when we might see a crypto ETF, how crypto is becoming more accessible, and the importance of keeping the long-view in mind. Listen in

“What the Internet was for information, the blockchain is for transferring value”

In the second installment of our discussion with Michael Oved of AirSwap, Lee and Troy explore the role of security and trust in shaping the future of blockchain, plus how this technology may be just as big as the Internet. Listen in

Trading in Crypto

Lee and Troy speak with AirSwap co-founder Michael Oved about smart contracts, the future of (decentralized) trading, and the beauty of simplicity in technology.Listen in

Key Considerations for Crypto and Regulation

In the third and final installment of our discussion with crypto enthusiast and venture capitalist Lou Kerner, Lee and Troy discuss how regulators should approach crypto. What will help and what will hurt this developing innovation and marketplace?Listen in

Crypto, Community, and Capitalism

In part 2 of our discussion with venture capitalist and crypto enthusiast Lou Kerner, Lee and Troy explore whether community is integral in the success of blockchain and whether crypto is the ultimate capitalist innovation.Listen in

Is Crypto the Most Important Thing Ever? Some People Think So

In this special episode, recorded live at the BlockFin conference, Lee, Troy and venture capitalist Lou Kerner explore blockchain, crypto and smart contracts: how these technologies are transforming the world by making it easier to execute transactions. Plus, Lou explains why he’s devoting the rest of his life to crypto. Listen in

Special Episode:
Coinbase

Is cryptocurrency the next major asset class? Lee and Troy talk to Coinbase’s Adam White and Juan Suarez about trading cryptocurrencies and the associated technology and regulatory challenges. Listen in

Peter Jensen-Haxel of Onli, Part 2 A Better Blockchain

Lee and Troy discuss different types of blockchain solutions and ways these new technologies can be utilized with Peter Jensen-Haxel, Onli IP counsel and patent law expert. Listen in

Peter Jensen-Haxel of Onli, Part 1 Blockchain and the Value on a Patent

What does blockchain mean to intellectual property (and vice versa)? In this episode, Lee and Troy discuss this growing issue with intellectual property expert Peter Jensen-Haxel of Onli. Listen in

Brian Bergstein, Part 2 Is AI Evolutionary or Revolutionary?

What computers do is impressive. But some people say it’s not actually AI. Siri and Alexa are good at voice recognition, but does that mean they’re intelligent? In the second installment of our conversation with Brian Bergstein, former MIT Technology Review editor-at-large, Lee and Troy explore whether curiosity is critical for machine intelligence, what’s the significance of a robot’s physical presence in the world, and what the future of AI means for our jobs. Listen in

Brian Bergstein, Part 1
Is AI Even Intelligent?

There’s a challenge with the artificial intelligence (AI) conversation: not everyone agrees on the right definition of artificial intelligence. In fact, people don’t even agree on what intelligence means. In the first installment of our conversation with Brian Bergstein, former MIT Technology Review editor-at-large, Lee and Troy cover the basics of AI before turning the discussion to topics that include: how emotions shape our thinking (and therefore our intelligence), the importance of contextualization in making judgments, and whether artificial intelligence could actually just be a natural outgrowth of human development. Listen in

Marcus, Part 2
Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

When companies make it clear what they’re offering, consumers make better decisions and are happier with their experience. In part 2 of our discussion with Marcus, Lee and Troy examine the importance of streamlining: making things straightforward and simple for consumers to understand. Fortunately, streamlining doesn’t have to be hard. In today’s automated world, something as “old school” as a human being answering the phone can be disruption. Listen in

Marcus, Part 1
Small Loans Are Creating Big Business at Goldman

You order a slice of pizza. Just as the waiter is handing it to you, he takes a bite and claims it’s his “fee.” Naturally, you’re indignant. Does this tell us anything about banking? Goldman Sachs’ consumer lending arm, Marcus, thinks it does. In this episode, Lee and Troy talk with Omar Ismail (Marcus COO) and Dustin Cohn (Marcus CMO) about Marcus’ approach to putting the consumer first. Listen in

Chronicled, Part 2
Blockchain as a Community Builder

Blockchain is about more than technology — it’s about human interaction. Even more than that, blockchain challenges how we think about “community.” In part 2 of our discussion with Chronicled co-founder Samantha Radocchia, Lee and Troy look beyond technology to examine how blockchain is changing social and economic dynamics as more and more occurs anonymously. Listen in

Chronicled, Part 1
Blockchain Begins ... What’s Yet to Come?

Blockchain is about much more than Bitcoin. Not only does it makes cryptocurrencies possible, blockchain also makes it possible to move priceless artwork from one owner to another, deliver collectible sneakers securely from sellers to buyers, and monitor prescription pharmaceuticals as they’re shipped around the country. And that’s just the beginning. In this episode, Samantha Radocchia, co-founder of Chronicled and a Forbes 30 Under 30, joins Lee and Troy to discuss how blockchain will affect our lives. Listen in

Rubicoin, Part 2
What Does It Mean to Be an Investor and How Can We Get More of Them?

The Dow keeps hitting record highs, but too many Americans are missing out on the rally — indeed, missing out on the benefits of investing more generally. So what will get people to start investing? In part 2 of our discussion with Rubicoin founders Emmet Savage and John Tyrrell, Lee and Troy explore the importance of the customer experience when investing and how to empower new investors to take the plunge. Listen in

Rubicoin, Part 1
The Pros and Cons to Emotional Investing

Should you use both sides of the brain — left (logic) and right (creative/artistic) — when investing? Does how you feel about a company matter, in addition to reasoning through its financial statements and other quantifiable metrics? Lee and Troy explore with Rubicoin founders Emmet Savage and John Tyrrell the influence of both quantitative analysis and emotional intuition when evaluating a company. Listen in

AMEX, Part 2
The Dollars-and-Cents of Payment System Technology

We live in a “Moore’s Law” kind of world. The rate of technological change is extremely rapid and groundbreaking. Even something that has been part of commerce forever — namely, getting money from point A to point B — has changed dramatically. In part 2 of the discussion with Amex and InAuth, Lee and Troy cover the “big idea” of why instantaneous access to money is transformative for economic growth and personal satisfaction. They also address the challenge of ensuring that laws and regulations keep pace, discussing the importance of “first principles” and “contextual regulation.” Listen in

AMEX, Part 1
Convenience or Security – Do We Have to Choose?

It takes savvy to become one of The World’s Most Admired Companies. And it takes skill to avoid the kinds of data breaches that seem all too frequent these days. So how can companies keep their customers — and the public at large — both safe and happy? How much security do people want if it means more hassles and inconvenience? In this episode, Troy and Lee explore with guests from American Express and its InAuth subsidiary how much consumers should trust online services, how behavioral analysis promotes fraud prevention, and how the customer experience dictates a company’s success. Listen in